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Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Milton woman on probation for manure pile

Cynthia Chandlee has moved the pile and her fine was reduced to $100.

By Ralph EllisThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Milton horse farm owner cited after piling manure near her neighbor’s fence on Wednesday was fined $100 and placed on six months probation.Cynthia Chandlee, a Realtor who keeps three horses and a donkey on her six-acre farm, pleaded no contest in Fulton County Magistrate Court. She had been fined $2,000, but $1,900 is suspended if she complies with the conditions of the court orders.After a neighbor complained about two waist-high manure piles, the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness cited Chandlee in April, saying she created an environment that can stink and breed flies.

Chandlee denied causing any health problems, but said she moved the manure piles away from the fence. She was required to appear in court anyway.The case worried the large Milton equine community because the health department wanted Chandlee to haul the manure away twice weekly. That would cost hundreds of dollars a month. If applied across the board, hauling that often would make horses too expensive for many people. Many small horse farms spread manure across the fields.

Fulton Magistrate Judge Victoria Moran’s order did not mention anything about manure disposal. Chandlee’s lawyer, Dale Jackson, said the health department could make that recommendation again because complaints are handled on an individual basis.

A hearing to discuss whether Chandlee is complying with the court order is scheduled for Dec. 16.